Sydney Harbour

Name: Sydney Harbour
Address: Sydney New South Wales, Sydney, AU

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About

Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel arch bridge in Sydney, Australia, spanning the harbour between Dawes Point and Milsons Point.

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Why go

The “coat hanger” arch spans 503 metres and rises 134 metres above sea level.
Ships pass beneath the bridge with 54 metres of clearance.

Opening hours

Today00:00 – 23:59Show all

Monday00:00 – 23:59

Tuesday00:00 – 23:59

Wednesday00:00 – 23:59

Thursday00:00 – 23:59

Friday00:00 – 23:59

Saturday00:00 – 23:59

Sunday00:00 – 23:59

Season and conditions

Open 24 hours every day.

Photo spots

Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera HouseThe bridge and nearby opera house form an emblematic view of Sydney and Australia.

Shorts

History

Bradfield used New York’s Hell Gate Bridge as a model. The bridge remained Sydney’s tallest structure until 1967. Its opening ceremony was interrupted when Francis de Groot cut the ribbon before the official event.

1815Francis Greenway proposed a bridge across the harbour, but the plan did not proceed.
1890A royal commission judged a bridge the best way to reduce ferry trips between the shores.
1912John Bradfield became chief engineer of the road and rail bridge project.
1923Construction began after 800 homes were demolished.
1924–1932Dorman Long built the bridge to detailed plans by Ralph Freeman.

Show all

19 August 1930The two halves of the arch joined.
19 January 1932A steam locomotive crossed slowly to test the bridge’s strength.
1932The bridge opened on 19 March. Francis de Groot cut the ribbon before the official ceremony; after it was restored, Jack Lang officially opened the bridge.
2000Olympic rings hung on the bridge during the Sydney Olympic Games.
28 May 2000More than 250,000 people crossed the bridge in a reconciliation event, commemorated by a plaque.
2007The bridge was added to the Australian National Heritage List.
25 October 2009The roadway deck hosted its first mass picnic.

How to get there

On footCrossing the bridge: The pedestrian path runs along the eastern side, between the bridge’s Dawes Point and Milsons Point ends.
BikeCrossing the bridge: The cycleway runs along the western side.

Sources: Sydney Harbour Bridge - Wikipedia · Sydney Harbour Bridge - Wikipedia (part 2) · Sydney Harbour Bridge - Wikipedia (part 3) · Sydney/City Centre - Wikivoyage (sleep) · Sydney Harbour Bridge - Wikipedia · Harbour Bridge - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026

Where

Sydney New South Wales

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

When is Sydney Harbour Bridge open?

Sydney Harbour Bridge is open 24 hours daily; this does not establish hours for the museum, visitor centre or climbs.

What is the road across Sydney Harbour Bridge called?

Bradfield Highway, which runs for 2.4 kilometres.

What are Sydney Harbour Bridge’s northern pylons used for?

They act as ventilation chimneys for the tunnel beneath the harbour.

Did trams once use Sydney Harbour Bridge?

Yes. Two of today’s car lanes were formerly tram lanes.

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